Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-04-29
aAJpuTIAN woMEm

- W
Regarded with Great Respect.
Unlike in other parts OF the East
woman has always maintained proud
position among the martial and chiv-
alrous tribes of Northern India. In
stead OF treating women contemptu-
ously the Rajpoots. like the ancient
German and scandinavian tribes, on
every occasion of Importance consult
their wives, to whose opinion great
weight is usually attached, always
treat them with the greatest respect
and address them by the title Of Devi,
or goddess.
Although a few of the chiefs have
taken more than one wife, in imitation
Of the Moghul rulers, polygamy has
never been recognized institution
with the Rajpoots, with whom monog-
amy existed during the patriarchal
ages Of India
And in his attachment and devotion
to bis wife the Rajpoot stands pre-
eminent among all the Hindoos, who
generally have much higher notions Of
woman than the followers Of Islam.
The eonjugal duties OF the Rajpoots
are expressed in the simple formula:
"Let mutual fidelity continue to death,
| this, In few words. may be consid-
cred as the supreme law between hus-
band and wife" This law has gov
erned the Rajpoots in all ages in as
great degree as in ordinary stages of
society and in other countries, and the
annals Of very few nations afford more
numerous or more sublime instances OF
mutual devotion than those of the
Rajpoot Hindoos.
Here Is memorable instance of the
truly chivalrous devotion of the Raj
poot to the object of his attachment,
which occurred during the first stage
of Chectore in the thirteenth century.
Ala-ud-din, the ruthless Tartar, after
laying long and fruitless siege to the
famed fortress, gave ont that he would
retire if he could get possession of
Padmani, the wife of Rajpoot Chief
Bheemsi, Ceylonese Princess re-
nowned for her beauty, accomplish
ments and intellectual merit The de-
mand was -scornfully refused At
length the infatuated Islamite re-
stricted his desire to mere sight of
the extraordinary beauty, and acceded
to the proposal of beholding her
| through the medium of mirrors.
Relying on the faith of the Rajpoot.
he entered Chcetore slightly guarded,
and, having gratifed his wish, returned
accompanied by the Rajpoot, who, un-
willing to be outdone in confidence,
saw Ala-ud-din to the foot OF the fort
ress amid many complimentary excuses
at the trouble he had thus occasioned.
1t was for this that the follower of the
prophet riskcd his own safety, trusting
the word of the Hindoo. Here he had
an ambush; Bheemsi was made prisoner
and sent away to the Tartar camp,
where he was TO be detained until the
surrender of his lovely Princess Pad
mani.
Gloom and despair reigned in Cheet-
ore on this unexpected and undreamt-
of news. Padmani, rs soon as sho
heard it, offered to give herself up in
order to save her husband. lntimation
was sent to Ala-ud-din that on the day
he withdrew from his trenches the fair
Padmani would DO sent, only that she
should be accompanied by her females
aud handmaids and many others who
desired to pay her this last mark of
reverence. About seven hundred col
ored littcrs proceeded to the royal
camp, In each sat one of the bravest
defenders of Cheetore. borne by six
armed soldiers disguised as litter por-
ters. The litters were deposited, and
half an hour was granted for parting
interview between the Hindoo Prince
and his beloved bride.
But Ala-ud-din had no intention to
permit Bheemsi TO return, and was be-
coming jealous of the long interview he
enjoyed, when, instead of the Prince
and Padmani. who had vanished, the
supposed damsels and the devoted
band issued from their disguise. These
perished to man, and pursuit of the
princely fugitives was abandoned. But
these had reached the gate of the fort,
which Ala-ud-din attacked with re-
doubled vigor and fcrocity. The heroes
of Cheetore, animated by the noblest
sentiments-the deliverance Of their
chief and the honor Of their Queen
devoted themselves to destruction.
The Tartar. however. with his thinned
ranks, was defeated IN his object and
forced to retire.-M Y. Herald.